Gantz: Israel Can Act Alone against Iran Nukes

Chief of Staff promises "great pain in Gaza" if attacks on Israel continue.

Gil Ronen, 16/04/13 08:30

Chief of Staff Benny Gantz

Flash 90

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz said in an interview broadcast Tuesday on Voice of Israel public radio that the IDF has the ability to act on its own against the Iranian nuclear program.

In response to a question, Lt. Gen. Gantz said that there are ongoing deliberations between the political echelon and the military echelon, and that it would not be accurate to call these discussions "arguments."

When asked if the IDF has the capability to take action on its own against the Iranian nuclear program, he replied "absolutely, yes."

Regarding the terror that emanates from Gaza, Lt. Gen. Gantz said that he was favorably surprised by the relatively long period of calm that followed Operation Pillar of Defense last November. However, he noted, there have been some "isolated" incidents of attacks from Gaza lately.

"If this quiet continues, there will be quiet in Gaza. If this quiet does not continue, things will be very unquiet in Gaza, and there will be great pain in Gaza. If we need to repeat what we did and even widen our operation, in terms of its scope and methods, we will have no qualms about doing this."